A Beginner's Guide to Major League Soccer (MLS)

Overview and history of MLS

Major League Soccer is the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada, founded in 1993 as part of the United States' bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup, seeking to capitalize on the expected surge in football popularity in the country in the wake of its hosting of the world's most-celebrated sports tournament.

MLS officially kicked off its inaugural season in 1996, and the league's first championship game (known as the MLS Cup) was won by D.C. United, the Washington club along with Los Angeles Galaxy have captured the most league titles, with four championships each. While MLS is not as famous as European football leagues such as England's Premier League, Germany's Bundesliga, and Italy's Serie A. The league plays a crucial role in developing and promoting soccer in North America.

The exposure to the growing football craze in the market has led several international stars-including David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain- to play their part in the MLS, and the latest signing of Lionel Messi is going to make football in America and Canada reach great heights.

Structure and Format

The league is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each team competes in a 34-game regular season, playing against teams from their own conference as well as inter-conference matches. The top teams from each conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, culminating in the MLS Cup Final.

The MLS’s expanded format for the playoffs will commence with two Wild Card matches. Involving the teams placed eighth and ninth in each conference. The victorious teams from the Wild Card matches will progress to Round One of the playoffs, which has now been modified to a best-of-three series. There will be a definitive winner, with no ties or aggregate scores recorded. Round one comprises two matches, with the first hosted by the higher seed and the second by the lower seed. If the series requires a decider, Match 3 will occur at the higher seed’s stadium.

MLS are known for making constant changes to their playoff format over the years as the league has tried implementing both two-leg ties and single-game knockouts. MLS has implemented a single-elimination format since 2019, where the top seed hosted each match. To attract high-profile international players, MLS introduced the Designated Player Rule. Each team is allowed to sign up to three designated players whose wages exceed the salary cap. This rule has brought renowned players like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the league.

Teams and Stadiums

MLS consists of 27 teams located in various cities across the United States and Canada. Some notable teams include LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders FC, Atlanta United FC, Toronto FC, and Inter Miami. Many teams have dedicated soccer-specific stadiums, creating an intimate and passionate atmosphere for matches. Other teams share stadiums with football teams, maximizing their reach and exposure.

Rivalries are an integral part of MLS. Matches like the Hudson River Derby between New York Red Bulls and New York City FC, El Tráfico between LA Galaxy and LAFC, and the intense Cascadia Cup clashes between Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers generate intense excitement among fans.

International influence and Players

MLS has attracted players from around the world, adding diversity and global appeal to the league. While many players hail from the United States and Canada, international stars from countries like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and England have also made their mark in MLS. Designated players, in particular, have brought star power, enhancing its reputation on the international stage.

Additionally, MLS has implemented a player development system that includes youth academies and the MLS Next Pro reserve league. This system nurtures young talents and fosters the growth of soccer in North America, helping develop a pipeline of future stars to come out of the academies and play in Europe, represent their country and make a name for themselves.

Future Growth

MLS has experienced significant expansion in recent years. New teams like Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC joined the league in 2020, followed by Austin FC in 2021, Charlotte FC and Sacramento Republic FC joined MLS in 2022, further expanding its geographic reach and fan base. This expansion demonstrates the growing interest and investment in soccer across North America.

The league's expansion requirements ensure potential investors demonstrate financial stability, have a suitable stadium plan, and a commitment to growing the sport in their market. These measures help ensure the long-term viability and success of new teams in MLS. With international stars coming to play in the MLS, there are a lot of investors out in the market wanting to invest in the MLS and the clubs.

Major events and Competitions

The MLS Cup Playoffs is the pinnacle of the MLS season. The top teams from each conference, along with a few wild card teams based on overall league standings, compete in a knockout format to determine the MLS Cup champion. The MLS Cup Final is a highly anticipated event that crowns the league's champion.

MLS just like NBA, NFL, and MLB hosts the All-Star Game, where top players from MLS face off against a high-profile international club or selected players from Liga MX (The Liga MX, officially known as the Liga BBVA MX for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football division in Mexico. Formerly known as the Primera División de México, it is contested by 18 clubs and is divided into two tournaments – "Apertura" and "Clausura") , this exhibition match showcases the league's talent and provides an exciting spectacle for fans around North America.

Impact on North American Soccer landscape

MLS plays a vital role in shaping the North American soccer landscape. While traditional North American sports like football, baseball, and basketball dominate the sports market, MLS has made significant strides in increasing soccer's popularity and fan base for the past couple of years. The league has successfully attracted a new generation of fans, players and helped establish soccer as a major sport in the region.

MLS's growth and success have inspired the establishment of lower-tier leagues and increased investment in youth development. As soccer continues to flourish in North America, MLS serves as a catalyst for the sport's growth and development, MLS's success is clearly visible these days as young players like Riqui Puig, former Barcelona player currently playing for LA Galaxy and ex Barcelona, PSG player and legend Lionel Messi, who recently agreed to sign a deal for Inter Miami.

Major Achievements and Milestones

MLS has achieved notable milestones since its inception. The league has expanded its team count, improved the quality of play, and increased attendance at matches. Record-breaking performances, such as goal-scoring feats and outstanding individual and team achievements, have added excitement and recognition to MLS.

Additionally, MLS has successfully generated significant revenue through broadcasting deals, sponsorships, and merchandise sales, ensuring the league's financial stability and sustainability. Even though there is no promotion or relegation system in MLS, teams aren't awarded money based on their league position as seen in the Premier League. However, MLS does hand out cash for certain accomplishments, including winning the MLS Cup or reaching the playoffs. The overall champion is awarded $300,000 in prize money and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, while the runner-up receives $100,000, and the furthest-advancing team from each lower-division league receives $25,000.

MLS has firmly established itself as North America's premier soccer league, making significant contributions to the growth and popularity of the sport in the region. With expansion plans, a competitive structure, and a focus on developing homegrown talent, MLS continues to thrive, promising a bright future for soccer in North America.